Podcast: Why strata law changes are such a painfully long time coming
When it comes to strata law reform, it can be a long time between drinks. Victoria is just at the end of the public consultation stage of their very substantial…
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Seven years on from fatal blaze, new mid-rises finally get sprinklers
It has taken almost seven years since the fatal fire in the unit block in Bankstown but as of this week, builders in NSW will be required to install automatic…
Vic strata laws set for massive shake-up
This column has often said how wonderful it would be if all the states had similar strata laws – not just to make it easier for people moving interstate, but…
Flat Chat Wrap #21: Property prices panic and the latest developer rort
With property prices plummeting across our major cities, JimmyT and Sue Williams identify where apartment values are plummeting, where they’re holding and where off-the-plan purchasers are being told they can’t…
Podcast: Is it time to panic over plummeting property prices?
It’s fair to say that this is probably not the best time to be a property owner. And if you are an investor in multiple units, your woes could be…
Nothing to do with strata, but … why we’ll never elect a President
It has absolutely nothing to do with strata, but … The recent events in Ukraine and the current turmoil in Washington DC have guaranteed one thing – we will never…
Why everyone has gone quiet on over-crowding
The powers that be have gone curiously quiet on one of the major issues affecting apartment blocks: overcrowding. Where have all the pictures of rooms stacked with bunk beds, subdivided…
FORUM: Who pays when a common property pipe bursts?
If there’s one area of strata law in NSW that has always puzzled me, it’s the rule that says, while an owners corporation must pay for the damage caused to…
Japanese jolt as Airbnb register bites hard
Last month held mixed blessings for Airbnb and all the other holiday letting (STHL) companies currently operating in NSW. They’d have been delighted that Labor’s sensible but potentially profit-blocking proposals…
What negative gearing changes could mean to you
With big changes to negative gearing on investment properties proposed by Labor, SUE WILLIAMS looks at what a change of government might mean to the value of your apartments. The…
Are these the worst strata laws in Australia?
After last week’s column about the best by-laws other states have, it’s only fair to mention the worst – those you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemies. Everyone in strata…
Flat Chat Wrap #20 – New minister, good and bad laws, and the pet loophole
JimmyT and Sue Williams ask the big questions about the new strata minister … like, who is he? Plus the best and worst of Australia’s strata laws and what makes…